The Iola register., 1887-02-25
SHAYS' REBELLION.
The MAD Revolution Inaugurated In Nassa.
chusetts q Century Ago.

The Mad Revolution Inaugurated In Massa.
chusetts a Century Ago.
Daniel Shays had held captain q
commission in the revolutionary war.
and does not seem to have had much
heart in the rebellion to which he has
given his name. When the war of the
revolution closed. Massachusetts was
in wretched financial condition from
her efforts in the cause of indepcnd-
ence. Her state debt was large, and
the pay of her soldiers was heavily in
arrears. Besides, she had under
taken payment of S5.O00,000 of
the debt of the Confederation. Com
merce and industry We're PROSTATE.
Money, except deprecated papers. had
disappeared from circulation, and prices
of the necessaries of living were ex-
orbitant. While the people were i'm.
poverished. the courts and the LAWYERS
were kept busy in endeayoring to en-.
force the payment of the debts.
In this condition of affairs popular
discomfort arose. As there was nc
surplus in the Massachusetts treasury
for pensions it was proposed that the
defenders of the country should be paid
out of the property that had been saved
in the wax. The courts and the law
yers were especial objects of resent
ment, and it was proposed in many
county conventions to abolish lawyers
and deprive them of the right IL hold
office. The advice WAS largely followed.
In many places courts Were not per-
mitted Ia open their sessions. the Judges
Were driven from the bench. and the
service of writs was obstructed. Ii was
proposed TO issue irredeemable fla;
money As legal tender for private debts.
and to repudiatc the State debt alto
gcther.
In the midst of the popular ferment
the Legislature met and the House
passed some of the most eXtrava"ant
measures of the malcontcnts, hut they
were rejected by the Senate. This re-
sistance only increased the popular
fury. and an insurrectionary army Of
about two thousand men gathered in
Springfield. under command of General
Shays. Governor Bowdoin. who was
aroused by this formidable movement.
at once called out the militia. under
General Lincoln. and suspended the
writ of habeas corpus. In Springfield
the attempt 10 hold 4 session Of court
WAS prevented by the insurgents. Gen
eral Shepard. who commanded Il mill
tia force in Spring gfield. took possession
OF the arsenal. On the 9th of january.
l1S7. the army of the Insurgents
marched upon the arsenal III con-
temptuouS defiance of the warning OF
its commander. When the insurgents
advanced To the forbidden point. Gen
eral Shepard ordered his troops TO fire
Four men fell from the discharge of 4
howitZer. and three Were killed. Upon
this warm reception the rest fled in the
utmost confusion and never halted till
they were ten miles from Springfield.
This practically put an end 10 the re-
bellion of Shays. although some of the
Insurgents fingered in the field fol
several months. Though the inSurrec-
tion WAS thus easily crushed, twas not
without an important influence upon
TIE political history OF the country. II
caused not only the people of MasSa-
chu>ettS. but of the other. colonies to
realize the loose character of the con
federation. to become more and more
convinced of the political necessity Ito
form more perfect union" in the
words Of the preamble of the Federal
constitution, establish justice. insure
domestic tranquility. provide for the
general defense and secure the bless
ingS of liberty For the unwittine
share of Shays' rebellion in contribut-
in" To this beneficent consummation
due recognition should be given.-Des
A0incs (Id.) Leddcr.